Dear editor,
The Press Gazette deserves credit for publishing an excellent news story on the Messick property. Reporter Matt Brown finally revealed the separate and different objectives of Councilman Jimmy Messick and his wife, Theresa, all of which appear to be legal.
But from the beginning, most folks thought the worst of this situation involving land targeted for public purchase for a new courthouse. Public officials with voting power, planning authority or insider knowledge should never have family ownership ties to properties that are likely to be acquired with public funds, which is why this controversy started.
The mere appearance of a conflict of interest should always be avoided.
Positions of power are not entitlements.
We may yet see more of this. A closer look at the properties along the potential pathways of a new Highway 90, plus the expansion of the Blackwater River front might reveal other public officials or even historical society members who stand to benefit by financial gain from the plans they are pushing.
Anger will spark immediately at any hint of this.
Well done, Press Gazette, for a much-needed story.
GARY WOODS
East Milton
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Good job on Messick coverage